Angela

Hi Chris

Nice to hear from you.  A Cancer Council help-line nurse spoke to me some time ago and she mentioned Femara too as an alternative - though I understand they all have similar side-effects, particularly with painful joints.  My GP mentioned Tamoxifen perhaps, but I did read up about that on the internet and there's some scary stuff there.  It would be great if you don't get joint pain and I'll be interested to hear a few months down the track how you're going. 

It will also be interesting to see how the clinical trials go.  I was told by one nurse from an organisation that most people take this medication for 5yrs.  I've been taking Arimidex for over 6yrs and surgeon wants me to take it for 10yrs!  I'm currently off it on a trial basis (3mths) and I must say my joint pain has certainly improved.

Overall, we're all here being able to discuss the medication and that's the main thing.

Best wishes Judi Ann

Hi Ladies, I've been on femara for a month now. It is also an aromatose inhibitor like arimidex. My surgeon wants me to take it for 5 to 10 years. There are clinical trials happening at the moment to see what time frame gives the best results in terms of preventing cancer from recurring. My Dr doesn't know what these results will be yet, but says in 5 years the results should be known, as people have now been taking these drugs for around 5 years. This is good for all of us at the start of our medication taking. We may not need to take it for ever if the results show 5 years is as good as 10 years, or maybe it will show that 10 years is much better. Who knows, what they will find out. So far I have not noticed any bad side effects from femara. I'm still getting hot flushes, but that is nothing new. Perhaps the only thing I've noticed, is that in the morning I seem to be getting leg cramps as I wake up. This might not have anything to do with this drug at all, But it is something that I have just started to notice. Chris xx

Hi Ladies, I've been on femara for a month now. It is also an aromatose inhibitor like arimidex. My surgeon wants me to take it for 5 to 10 years. There are clinical trials happening at the moment to see what time frame gives the best results in terms of preventing cancer from recurring. My Dr doesn't know what these results will be yet, but says in 5 years the results should be known, as people have now been taking these drugs for around 5 years. This is good for all of us at the start of our medication taking. We may not need to take it for ever if the results show 5 years is as good as 10 years, or maybe it will show that 10 years is much better. Who knows, what they will find out. So far I have not noticed any bad side effects from femara. I'm still getting hot flushes, but that is nothing new. Perhaps the only thing I've noticed, is that in the morning I seem to be getting leg cramps as I wake up. This might not have anything to do with this drug at all, But it is something that I have just started to notice. Chris xx

Thanks for all your help Genetten.  It will be interesting to know what the oncologist will say - will let you know.  I've never been a person who likes being in the water but would try acupuncture and thanks for the info about nurifen plus

I'm never quite sure how to use this blog, despite reading the 'help' section.  Takes me a while to find my messages!

Thanks for your good luck wishes. Judi Ann

Thanks Judi Ann,

I'll keep you informed on how I go with 2nd treatment. Good news is it did not hurt. I didn't know what to expect as have not had acupuncture before, but all good. If you do have to go back on Arimidex then maybe try acupuncture as well.At least it can't hurt to try.

I have also had three sessions in the hydro pool to try to build up my muscles (forgot I had them) around my knees and ankles to help keep the strain off my joints, so this might be worth a try for you also if you get the joint  pain again.

I find that nurifen plus also helps.

Good luck for the 11th.

 

Hi Genetten

So good to hear the actupuncture seems to be working and with just one treatment. Like you I hope this treatment will really ease joint pain for you.  If I have to go back on Arimidex, I might consider the same.

I see the Oncologist on 11th Oct for a 2nd opinion, so it will be interesting to hear what he might suggest.  Because the surgeon wants me to take Arimidex for 10yrs, I have a feeling the oncologist might just agree with him.

Good luck with your acupuncture.

 

 

Hi all,

I saw the acupuncturist yesterday for the nerve damage in my fingers and the joint pain in hands. She said that if it was going to work I should feel improvement within 12 to 24 hours. Well, last night I finally had a night's sleep without being woken up with my hands going to sleep. I hope it will continue and the same happens tonight. I am going back to her in a fortnight for another treatment so I will report in again then. But so far so good.

I hope all is goimng well for you all. 

 

Hi Judi

Now that you mention it, I don't know of anyone who has been taking Arimedex for so long.....

In my case the surgeon removed 24 lymph nodes, 6 were involved.  I had a lumpectomy, the borders were clear.  I had radiotherapy and chemo...!  Then, the oncologist said that I had to take Tamoxifen but as I explained before it didn't work for me and I was prescribe Arimedex, that according to the oncologist was the best in this situation.

Keep in touch, all the best

Norma

 

Hi Judi

Now that you mention it, I don't know of anyone who has been taking Arimedex for so long.....

In my case the surgeon removed 24 lymph nodes, 6 were involved.  I had a lumpectomy, the borders were clear.  I had radiotherapy and chemo...!  Then, the oncologist said that I had to take Tamoxifen but as I explained before it didn't work for me and I was prescribe Arimedex, that according to the oncologist was the best in this situation.

Keep in touch, all the best

Norma

 

Hi Norma

Thanks very much for your message.  You are the only person I've heard of, except for myself, who is having to take Arimidex longer than 5years.  Do you know why your oncologist wants you to take it for 8yrs?  I understand the reason I have to is due to having 4 out of 12 lymph nodes under my arm having cancer too.

I do admire you for being so positive and I also agree we are better to take the Arimidex, despite the joint pains, etc rather than the alternative.

Keep on fighting and I will too.

Regards - Judi Ann